Members of the grassroots group Not In Chino Hills have been passing out fliers and soliciting help in an effort to prove a maternity hotel is being operated out of a home on Woodglen Drive and two other locations.

The group has asked residents to follow vehicles allegedly used in the hotel operation and to monitor activities at the house and other locations.

However, Mayor Peter Rogers said there is concern with the current approach the group is taking when it comes to dealing with this matter.

"The last thing we want to do is see any individuals in Chino Hills harassed," said Mayor Peter Rogers. "I would hope that our residents know that if we handle this peacefully and through the proper mechanisms that this issue will be resolved in a proper way."

Rossana Mitchell, the spokeswoman for Not in Chino Hills, has encouraged volunteers to be on the lookout for a luxury van, shown with a license plate on a flier, that parks at various locations around town.

The group wants to know "what locations they're doing the dropoffs, where it's going and where it's stopping," Mitchell said.

Mitchell and Alexander Ramirez, who owns a digital surveillance company, asked a neighbor of the Woodglen home if they could place a camera on the neighbor's property to record vehicle activity on the street.

Other council members cautioned residents to obey the law and let the city handle the matter.

"We definitely want our citizens active in our city," said Councilman Ed Graham. "As long as it stays within the law, I encourage that."

Councilman Art Bennett said residents should trust the city to resolve the issue rather than to resorting to their own investigation.

"We know what is going on," he said. "We're pursuing it by law, and we will get this place shut down based upon the fact that it has all these uncorrectable code violations."

Mitchell said she will attend Tuesday's City Council meeting to update the council on what the group is doing.

She said she has encouraged residents to volunteer with the Not in Chino Hills group and to approach the council if they have additional questions.

"I'm sure the council is following the advice of the city attorney," said Mitchell, who is also a candidate for council. "I know that some residents are frustrated because the business is still running."